French-language outlet LaPress.ca was the first to report the board’s decision.

Strikes to the back of Cote’s head are what led to Sakara being disqualified by Miragliotta in the 86-second contest. Replays showed that after landing legal strikes with hammerfists, several Sakara punches hit Cote illegally.

However, Sakara and his camp were upset that official scorecards indicated the Italian fighter was initially ruled the winner by TKO. But as a hometown crowd vehemently booing before the official decision was read, Miragliotta changed the result to a disqualification win for Cote.

Sakara’s manager Lex McMahon, who was in the stands for the fight, felt the worst result should have been a no contest.

“The first thing that needs to occur is we need to get this turned into, at the bare minimum, a no contest because it was already ruled a TKO for my client,” McMahon told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com). “And then let’s get the guys together and let them mix it up again, but in neutral territory. I don’t want them fighting in Canada again because he obviously did not get a fair deal. I thought it was a hometown decision. I thought the pressure of 20,000 fans screaming for Cote and booing Sakara during that 5- to 7-minute period while people were reviewing the decision – you’re going to tell me that Dan (Miragliotta) didn’t look at the tape and the commission didn’t look at the tape while they were cheering? Come on.

“I feel like the right decision was overturned in favor of the hometown guy, and that’s a shame. It really is.”

Ultimately, the La Regie des alcools des courses et des jeux decided they would not hear the appeal because the decision was ultimately a judgement call by Miragliotta.

Miragliotta told MMAjunkie.com he warned Sakara during the flurry after a hammerfist grazed the back of the downed Cote’s head. The next two or three shots were legal, according to the official. Then a second, more clearly illegal blow drew a more stern verbal warning.

“The second one didn’t look bad enough to stop the fight,” Miragliotta said. “In my mind, I’m thinking if he hits the back of the head again, I’m going to stop it and take a point away, or I’ll make it a verbal warning with his translator and let him know I’m going to take a point away.

“Then the next ones were clean. They were clean strikes, and the one that hit him hard was no longer a ‘watch the back of the head.’ It was time to either take points away or stop the fight.”

Cote, though, was in no condition to continue.

“When I rolled him over, he looked like he didn’t know where he was at,” Miragliotta said.

A spokesman for the board confirmed with LaPress.ca that its decision was “final and without appeal,” so the result will stand.

Following UFC 154, UFC President Dana White said he favors a rematch between the two strikers. However, an official announcement has yet to be made.